The Mission - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington

MIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICESPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE“Freedom” continued from page 1to do certain jobs. I would not have beenable to work in insurance if we were stillthere.”He now volunteers with MRS, takingothers to the doctor, library or bank. Healso volunteers as a medical interpreterat Mary Washington hospital. He estimatesthat about 100 Nepali refugeeslive in the Fredericksburg community.Catholic Charities’ Office of Migrationand Refugee Services (MRS)celebrated World Refugee DayDahal and his family have adjustedwell with the help of MRS and are nowthriving. Two of his brothers are employedand the youngest has just startedclasses at Germanna Community College.“As the days pass, I feel more comfortablehere than I was in Nepal.”Bhim Dahal and his mom.Establishing Self-SufficiencyMRS helps refugees gain autonomy as soon as possible after arrival in the United StatesCatholic Charities' MRS is the largest refugee social provider in Northern Virginia with four offices and 24 staff memberswho are constantly on the move. Our staff is waiting at the airport to pick up the refugees and welcome them to theirnew country—even if their flight lands in the middle of the night.Below is an extensive list of the ways that MRS assists refugees in their challenging transition. Services are not limited to theitems on this list, as we serve our clients in countless ways.HOME• Find an apartment for the family prior to arrivaleven though they have no U.S. credit history• Furnish the apartment with donations from generousparishioners and community members• Assist with integration into the local community• Provide cultural orientationEDUCATION• Assist clients in enrolling in English classes• Assist client families in enrolling children in school• Assist families with adjustment to new schoolsystem• Follow up with students, teachers and administratorsto ensure the smoothest transition possibleMRS Celebrates World Refugee Day on June 21Attendees wait in a simulated refugeecamp outside the MRS office in Arlington.on June 21 by hosting an eye-openingprogram entitled, “A Refugee Journey.”The program simulated the treacherousjourney that refugees must endurewhen seeking safety from violence andpolitical unrest. A panel discussion followedthe event, with actual refugeessharing testimonials of the trials theyendured as refugees. More than 45 participantsattended the event.“It really opened my eyes to peoplearound me who are suffering from displacement,”said Tiffany Waits, administrativeassistant to Bishop Loverde. “Iwas struck by the idea that their livesCAREER• Provide an employment assessment, job developmentand vocational job training• Assist with job search, referrals and placements• Provide pre-employment training and follow-up foremployment retentionCASE MANAGEMENT• Provide case management services for all clients• Refer clients for health screenings at the Departmentof Health, transport them to appointments andinterpret as needed• Assist with naturalization services• Provide self-sufficiency strategic planningwere changed in an instant by somethingthat was beyond their control.”Derek Maxfield, MRS associate director,worked with MRS staff for severalweeks preparing the program.“I wanted the participants to discoverwhat our clients go through,” Maxfieldsaid. “Now they can take the informationback to their communities and raiseawareness of the seemingly insurmountableobstacles that refugees havegone through and how MRS and ourparish and local communities can assistthem as they start a new life in the UnitedStates.”September 5 th is the Feast Day ofBlessed Teresa of Calcutta. Everyonehas their favorite stories aboutMother Teresa’s virtues. I have two.When Time Magazine published acover story critical of her work, her sistersvacilated on whether to show herthe story. They decided to show her, andshe commented that we simply have toaccept the good and the bad. Then shewent about her work. That was perseveranceand humility.When invited to the National PrayerBreakfast in 1994, she courageouslycalled abortion “the greatest destroyer oflove and peace.“ That was a tangible actof love for all of God’s people.His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope-Emeritus, said that Blessed Teresa ofCalcutta is “an exemplary model ofChristian virtue who showed the worldthat an authentic love for others opensthe door to knowing and being withGod.”IMMIGRANT SERVICESThriving in New Manassas LocationHogar Immigrant Education Services relocated April 1st to be closer to those in needThe new education center in Manassas is a gift that embodies the words of Jesus, “When I was a stranger you welcomed me.” LearningEnglish and taking citizenship classes is essential to life in the United States. Being near the action is critical to reaching those in need. As PopeFrancis keeps reminding us, “We are a church of and for the poor. Jesus sends us to everyone."-Fr. Robert Cilinski, Pastor at All Saints Church in ManassasCatholic Charities Board MemberA report on our first90 days:6 ...... levels of ESOL classes that wereoffered, from beginning to advanced288 ...... ESOL and/or Citizenshipstudents who were enrolled in acourse93 ...... the percentage of Citizenshipstudents who passed their naturalizationexam last year58 ...... volunteers who taught ESOLor Citizenship classes98.5 ...... the percentage of theseclients who live below the federalpoverty line“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."-Blessed Teresa of CalcuttaInspired by the example of MotherTeresa, here at Catholic Charities of theDiocese of Arlington, we pray to receivethe grace to be more virtuous so wemight help more people in need.In this summer edition of The Mission,we hope to show you how God’s loveand the love of His Church open doorsfor the poor in many ways:• Through the relocation of ourEducational Services program to benear those in need of ESOL, Citizenshipand financial literacy courses• Through food distribution to thehungry in our diocese• Through our new counseling hubin Colonial Beach• Through the compelling work ofour Migration and Refugee Servicesprogram to help refugees becomeself-sufficientCatholic Charities’ Hogar ImmigrantEducation Services is planninga financial literacy workshopfor the fall semester. With the helpof Catholic Charities Board MemberFernanda Howard, BB&T bankers willvolunteer to give the workshop.The first workshop will be held in Octoberand will educate Hogar studentsand community members on “Credit inthe United States: What is Good Creditand How to Build Credit in the U.S.”Brooke Hammond Perez, programdirector for Hogar Immigrant EducationServices, is organizing the event alongwith David Ramos, BB&T’s RegionalMulticultural Markets Officer. They alsoThese andother CatholicCharitiesprograms andservices bringthe transformativelove of Christ to our brothers andsisters in need.I hope that you will be moved to joinwith us in bringing our mission to life tohelp the poor, recalling the beautiful admonitionof Mother Teresa: “Each one ofthem is Jesus in disguise."plan to give future financial literacyworkshops on the importance of savingsand first-time home ownership.“We are very excited about this partnershipwith BB&T, as it will afford usthe opportunity to provide additionaleducational offerings to immigrants inthe diocese,” Perez said. “Teaching immigrantshow to navigate the U.S. financialsystem will empower them to participatemore fully in their communities.”GET INVOLVED!If you would like to volunteer or sponsor aworkshop, please contact Brooke HammondPerez at BPerez@ccda.net or 571-208-1572, ext. 101.2 • www.ccda.net www.ccda.net • 3God Bless,Art BennettPresident and CEOCatholic Charities of theDiocese of Arlington

FOOD MINISTRYSubstantiating a Fundamental Need: FoodCCDA operates three food depots connected by a critical distribution network"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink..." -Matthew 25:35The Gospel of Matthew guidesCatholic Charities of the Diocese ofArlington's Food Ministry. We arehere to substantiate the most basic humanneed, the need for food and water.Christ House in Alexandria currentlyserves as our main Food Ministry hub,with our Western Regional Office inLeesburg and Loaves and Fishes in FrontRoyal serving as food depots. All three ofthese locations allow for walk-in clients.They are connected by a critical fooddistribution network, Christ House onWheels (CHOW). With the help of dedicatedvolunteers, CHOW distributes foodto pantries in the entire diocese, wherefood insecurity affects as much as 16%of the population.1. Christ HouseAlexandriaChrist House is Catholic Charities’main food ministry hub. This150-year-old building in OldTown Alexandria serves many purposesfor CCDA, including our men’s shelter,evening meal program, emergency assistanceprogram and thrift shop.Family volunteers at Christ House as a Corporal Work of MercyDan Foos stands outside Christ House withseven of his children before making a CHOWdelivery.Christ House’s food pantry operatesout of the building’s cellar, which presentsmany challenges. However, CCDAwas still able to serve about 1,000 walkinclients last year with 20 lb. pre-packedbags of food.Each bag of food also includes a prayercard and a few healthy recipes that canbe made from the bags' contents, such aschicken and rice, bean stew or chili.Growing up, Dan Foos remembershis mom regularlydelivering large potsof chili to Christ House for theevening meal. With children of hisown, he wanted to get involved ina similar service project—somethingthey could do as a family.For the past three years, theFoos family has been deliveringfood from Christ House to pantriesacross the diocese. About once amonth, Dan takes a day off, borrowsa trailer and packs the Sub-Christ House also plays an integralrole in distributing food throughout thediocese. Christ House on Wheels(CHOW) makes about 150 deliveries ayear to pantries all across the diocese, asdesignated on the map above. CHOW issupported by one staff member andmany dedicated volunteers like the Foosfamily, below.urban full of children—he and his wife,Sarah, have nine ranging from age 17 to8 months.“Feeding the hungry is one of thecorporal works of mercy that we arecalled to perform,” said Dan, a parishionerat Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge.Last month, Dan and seven of hiskids, drove two hours each way to deliver90 boxes of food to the CCDA fooddepot, Loaves and Fishes, in Front Royal.“It’s fun, and we get to help other peopleat the same time,” said Walter, 12.FOOD MINISTRY2. Western Regional OfficeLeesburgCatholic Charities’ Western RegionalOffice (WRO) serves thosein the western portion of the Arlingtondiocese with emergency assistancefor rent, utilities and food.As a food depot, WRO gave out38,400 lbs. of food from July 2012through June 2013, helping almost3,100 individuals with food assistance.The WRO food depot underwent atransformation this summer and nowallows clients to “shop” around the facilityand choose what items their familiesneed, as opposed to receiving pre-"My family would like to say thatCatholic Charities has been an awesomeplace to lean on. Buying groceries on afixed income is a juggling act, but knowingthat there are loving and thoughtful peoplelike you in the community makes ourlives more manageable.Being a diabetic is challenging, butshopping for better choices under this newsystem works well for our household. Yourthoughtfulness means so much to us."-A WRO client and mother3. Loaves and FishesFront RoyalOne of the largest food pantries in our dioceseis Catholic Charities' food depot, Loaves andFishes, which opened in March 2011 inFront Royal. The depot also partners with LovingArms In-Home Care, a Catholic nursing home facility,and is located on its grounds.Loaves and Fishes has one paid employee andOn the second Sunday of everymonth, St. Francis de Sales parishin Purcellville hosts a fooddrive known as “Share Sunday.” On average,the parish raises 1,600 lbs. of foodeach month.Dennis Godfrey, Jack Spisak and additionalmembers of the Knights of Columbusat St. Francis de Sales are keyplayers in the collection, packing up thecollected food and delivering it to WRO.“One of the beatitudes is to feed theWRO volunteers organize the shelves so clients canchoose what items they need.gram manager."All of our great partnerships allowus to better serve those in need."St. Francis de Sales' KOC coordinates "ShareSunday" food collection for WRO depotpacked bags. The facilityalso had refrigerators donatedso they can offermilk to clients.Like all CCDA programs,volunteers are criticalto WRO, especially inits ability to serve the hungryin the western part ofthe diocese.“Every month we havelocal families who call andoffer to bring us any food items that weneed," said Martha Michael, WRO prohungry,and that’s what the church hasgotten behind,” Godfrey said. “It’s heartwarmingto see how the congregationhas made this a priority.”Godfrey also spends time volunteeringat WRO, giving up about 20-30hours a month to assist with distributionat the food depot.“Loudoun is the richest county in thecountry but there are still pockets of realpoverty,” he said. “This is one small waythat I can help out.”From July 2012 through June2013, Loaves and Fishes distributedmore than 320,000lbs. of food, serving about200 families per week. Asseen by the picture on theleft, Loaves and Fishes allowsclients to "shop"through the depot so theycan choose what items theyneed.about 10 regular volunteers who run the depot. In addition to stocking shelves and assisting clients, volunteers also deliver foodto smaller pantries and to people who cannot leave their homes—fundamental needs for this rural area.With increased funding for food assistance and plans for a centralized food distribution warehouse, we can better feedpeople in all 21 counties of the diocese—in and outside the “beltway.” To learn more or become involved in our food ministryprogram, please contact James Michels, Vice President for Development, at JMichels@ccda.net or 703-841-3841.4 • www.ccda.net www.ccda.net • 5

FOOD MINISTRYFruits of a Bountiful Harvest at Christ HouseVolunteers plant and maintain garden to feed the hungry in AlexandriaAbove, volunteers work on the garden in June.Below, the fruits of their work by August.GET INVOLVED!If you would like to donate fresh produce orvolunteer at Christ House, please contact SisterAnnie at AJuan@ccda.net or 703-548-4227.Parishioners at St. Veronica inChantilly also harvest a gardeneach summer and dedicate a portionof the crops to Catholic Charities.Fr. Edward Hathaway, St. Veronica pastor,recently blessed the organic gardenwhich is located on the parish grounds.Sandy Greeley, a cook by trade and agardener in the making, started the gardenas a way to provide farm fresh foodfor people who ordinarily might nothave access to it. The garden has doubledin size since its origin in 2010.“It is a wonderful feeling to be able tohelp people like this,” Greeley said.With the help of dedicated volunteersfrom the parish community, includingThe fruits of a bountiful summer harvest are now being served at Christ House,thanks to many dedicated volunteers and Sister Annie, volunteer coordinatorat Christ House.The garden behind Christ House in Alexandria was blessed in a groundbreakingceremony on June 1. More than 25 volunteers came with their own tools, compostand seedlings, helping the Christ House residents transform a previously neglectedpiece of land into a fresh and developing garden.Since then, volunteers and the residents work on the garden daily—helping towater, weed and prune the garden.The parcel of land belongs to the Meushawfamily, who also owns the office buildingand parking lot directly behind Christ House.The Meushaws are leasing the sliver of landto Christ House for $1 to plant the vegetablegarden.Red and green peppers, tomatoes, squash,eggplant, cucumbers and herbs are a part ofthe initial harvest. They have been served atthe Christ House Community Table—whichprovides a hot meal for between 60-80 peopleeach night of the year. The vegetableshave also been given away at the ChristHouse food pantry.Volunteers are also committed tocreating a bountiful harvest fromthe garden at St. Martin de Porres, asenior day center. The senior participantshave also gotten involvedwith the garden this year.The garden has yielded enoughfresh produce for the seniors to takehome more than 150 bags of produce.Amber Dewey leads the groupof volunteer gardeners, which thissummer has included students fromSt. Mark's and Our Lady of GoodCounsel schools.St. Veronica Parish Donates Produce from GardenThe mission of our vegetable garden at St. Veronica is to live out, in a small but very practical way, our solidarity with the poor by providingfresh and nutritious produce. Parishioner Sandy Greeley had the idea for the garden to be planted and tended by our parishioners who thendistribute the food to charity. In this way, we are able to build community through our work and God’s creative action. We want to re-awakenthe connection with our Creator who is the source of all that is good.-Fr. Edward Hathaway, Pastor at St. Veronica Church in Chantillyher co-gardener Joe Fernandes, Greeleyand her team have grown tomatoes,green beans, cucumbers, squash, spinachand other lettuces this summer.Fernandes, who grew up in Kenyawatching his mother tend her vegetablegarden, is a "Master Gardener" andstops by St. Veronica's often to tend thegarden.Each week Greeley makes a large deliveryto Christ House in Alexandriawhere the produce is given out to visitorsto the food pantry. A portion of theyield is also delivered to the DominicanSisters in Linden.“It’s a great pleasure,” Greeley said.“We are very happy to do this.”Sarah McLain, a St. Veronica's parishionerand garden volunteer,harvests vegetables to take toChrist House.STAFF SPOTLIGHTMeet Dr. Michael Horne, Psy. D.Program Director at Family Services, FredericksburgHow did you come to CatholicCharities? Prior to starting herein May 2012, I was working inprivate practice. I felt like my ability toaddress the needs of the community waslimited to the people sitting in front ofme. However, as a Catholic Charitiesemployee, I am a part of something biggerthan myself and my clients—we aretransforming lives across the diocese.What exactly do you do in yourrole? I spend about half of my time seeinga variety of clients who are hoping toovercome marital issues, mood disorders,traumatic experiences or othermental health concerns. I also handlethe managerial side of the clinic—staffdevelopment, writing grants, programexpansion and networking with localCOUNSELING SERVICESSt. Elizabeth of Hungary is located in WestmorelandCounty, which has the highest rateof suicide in the diocese with 25.8 suicidesper 100,000 persons according to Mary WashingtonHospital.agencies that share CCDA’s mission. Most ofmy time is spent in Fredericksburg, but I alsotravel to Colonial Beach a few days a month tosee clients.What is the most challenging part ofyour job? Finding more resources so we canhire more clinicians and help more people.What is the best part of your job? Thething I look forward to the most is interactingwith the people I work with—both colleaguesand clients. It’s a phenomenal gift.Why are you passionate about Catholic-basedpsychology? We see each client asa child of God created in His image and likeness—thatbelief changes everything. It’s completelydifferent than seeing a client as a collectionof symptoms or a series of problems.We want our clients to fully develop into theperson that God has called them to be.Previously, Horne spent three yearsworking for PBS in Houston. He pursuedpsychology after a "reversion"to the Catholic faith, where he feltlike God was calling him to somethingmore.Counseling Services Expand Across DioceseIn August, Catholic Charities of theDiocese of Arlington (CCDA) openedtwo additional parish counselinghubs at St. William of York parish in Staffordand St. Elizabeth of Hungary parishin Colonial Beach. Family Services alreadyhas six counseling locations—inArlington, Burke, Fredericksburg, Leesburg,All Saints parish in Manassas andChrist the Redeemer parish in Sterling.Fr. Francis de Rosa, pastor at St. Elizabethof Hungary, approached CCDAabout opening a satellite counselingclinic at his parish, offering a meetingspace on the parish grounds and immediatelyadjacent to the Our Lady of GuadalupeFree Clinic.“St. Elizabeth’s Church in ColonialBeach undertakes, perhaps, the mostfruitful outreach to the community thatour small town has to offer,” Fr. de Rosasaid. “We are able to provide food andemergency cash assistance, and theGuadalupe Free Clinic provides morethan $1 million in free health care annually.Providing mental health care incooperation with Catholic Charities is alogical next step in our mission to serveChrist’s poor and needy in this far-offcorner of the diocese.”Dr. Michael Horne is offering counselingat St. Elizabeth’s on a part-timebasis. Another CCDA clinician, AnneDevine, is running a filial family programwhich focuses on improving parent-childrelationships. It was started atSt. Margaret of Cortona to help breakintergenerational homelessness.“There are two big obstacles for peopleto receive mental health counseling—timeand expenses,” Horne said.“With locations across the diocese, weare addressing both of those barriers becausepeople don’t have to travel as far.We want Catholic Charities to be wherethe need is greatest.”GET INVOLVED!We offer counseling services at a reduced rate,sometimes as little as $5 a session, for thevulnerable in our diocese. If you would like tohelp offset these costs, please contact JamesMichels, Vice President for Development, atJMichels@ccda.net or 703-841-3841.6 • www.ccda.net www.ccda.net • 7

OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTCatholic Charities BallSustaining our annual operation; spreading the spirit of charity among the faithfulThe annual Catholic Charities Ball provides critical funds to help us meet the needs of the poor; it is essential to filling thegaps so we can continue to extend programs and services to people of all faith. For more than 30 years, the Ball has raisedawareness among lay leaders and people of good will who wish to support Catholic Charities as we serve people in needof professional care and Christian compassion.Please consider supporting—even if you are unable to attend—this important fundraiser. We hope past supporters will alsorenew their sponsorship again this year. Below is a list of the 2013 supporters who gave $2,500 or more; we are also gratefulto the hundreds of other 2013 supporters not listed.2014 Catholic Charities Ball: Friday, February 21, 2014For more sponsorship information or general information about the 2014 Ball, please contact James Michels,Vice President for Development, at jmichels@ccda.net or 703-841-3841.Diamond - $25,000Paul and Linda SavilleGold - $20,000Victor and Wendy SellierSilver - $10,000The Albrittain FamilyJoe and Bertha BraddockGiuseppe and Mercedes CecchiThe Foundation for the CatholicDiocese of ArlingtonFairfax Memorial Park/FairfaxMemorial Funeral HomeThe Robert J. Fitch FamilyWilliam and Patricia InmanThe Nino R. Vaghi Foundation/Digital Office Products/ NationalLeasing & Financial CorporationOur Lady of Good Counsel CatholicChurch/St. John NeumannCatholic ChurchRonald S. and Teresa G. RigginsJim and Marie RocapSt. Raymond Catholic ChurchMr. and Mrs. Anthony M. TangThomas and Beverly TaukePewter - $8,000Gail and Mike AltenburgerMrs. Helen CascioMr. and Mrs. Joseph M. GuiffreBrass - $5,000AH&T Insurance/George ForresterArlington Roofing Co., Inc.Colonel (R) and Mrs. Stephen M.BahrBB&T BankBlessed Sacrament Catholic ChurchNick and Virginia Carosi/Mike andGail LubeleyJim and Mary Beth CarrollCavalier LogisticsBrian and Carolina CollThe Cornelius J. Coakley FamilyFoundationCyron & Miller, LLPFaith Direct, Inc.Good Shepherd Catholic ChurchAlan and Joan HolmerInnovative Discovery, LLC/Mr. andMrs. Allen OutlawKingfisher Systems, Inc.Ann and Paul LanzillottaMary Kay Lanzillotta and LeeBeckerLevel 3 Communications/Commercial ManagementCompanyWalter and Betsy LohmannMarymount UniversityJohn and Christine McLaughlinMr. and Mrs. Shawn P. McLaughlin/McLaughlinRyderInvestmentsMcMillan & AssociatesMercerTrigiani LLPMount Saint Mary’s UniversityDr. and Mrs. Robert P. Nirschl/Nirschl Orthopaedic CenterMr. and Mrs. Peter M. Prominski/TranswesternSaint Agnes Catholic ChurchSaint James Catholic ChurchSaint Luke Catholic ChurchSaint Mary Catholic ChurchSaint Theresa Catholic ChurchLauren and Bob SmithMr. and Mrs. William M. SolteszSteele Foundation, LLCWaldorf Risk Solutions, LLCBronze - $2,500All Saints Catholic ChurchDrs. James, Blanca, and AlexBronsonLarry and Barbara CaudleJohn D. Clayborne, Inc.CliftonLarsonAllen, LLPCommunity Counselling ServiceCo., LLCTimothy and Karen CopeHilton WorldwideJames and Catherine KelleyDr. and Mrs. John KuglerLindsay Automotive GroupLorton Stone, LLCDr. Reginald P. McManusMurphy Funeral HomesDr. and Mrs. Frank PettroneSteven J. RedmannFred and Cathy SachsSaint Thomas à Becket CatholicChurchSheehy Auto StoresSusan Eddy SozaJulie TheobaldThompson, Greenspon & Co.Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, Emrich &Walsh, P.C.Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. WeilerThe Mission, Summer 2013© Catholic Charitiesof the Diocese of ArlingtonPresident and CEO ..................................Art BennettVice President of Development ...........James MichelsDevelopment Associate....................Morgan McKeanCatholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington200 N. Glebe Road • Suite 506 • Arlington, VA 22203 • 703-841-3830We are a Combined FederalCampaign (CFC) workplace givingorganizational participant.To make a workplace gift, pleaseuse our organizational ID #24770.8 • www.ccda.net